Fair Grounds releases logos for Louisiana Derby, FG Oaks

Official event logos for the 97th Louisiana Derby (G2) and the 43rd

Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) were released Monday by Fair Grounds. Horses are

prominently featured in both designs, which present contemporary takes

on themes inspired by the tradition and history of each race.

The Louisiana Derby logo -- inspired by the longtime Fair Grounds

coat of arms that was adopted as the first logo for the Mardi Gras Krewe

of Endymion -- depicts a pair of silhouetted rearing horses flanking a

crest adorned with a fleur de lis and topped by a crown.

The history of Endymion is deeply intertwined with that of the Fair

Grounds. In 1963, Ed Muniz, who grew up in the shadow of the track, had

narrowed the possibilities for his new krewe's moniker to two

mythological figures, Endymion and Bacchus. When George Widener's horse

Endymion won that year's New Orleans H. with Jimmy Nichols aboard, that

settled it for Muniz. For its first 10 years, Endymion began its parade

at De Saix Boulevard and Trafalgar Street, just beyond the Fair Grounds

stable area.

"These new event logos are part of an overall strategy that will place our

premier three-year-old races at the heart of day-long and week-long celebrations

of horse racing in New Orleans," Fair Grounds President Austin Miller said. "The

logos will serve as a visual representation of what these racedays offer -- the

premier final prep races for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), as

well as two of the best afternoons to experience live racing at Fair Grounds,

with extraordinary food and fun."

The $750,000 Louisiana Derby at 1 1/8 miles serves as an important final prep

race for three-year-olds pointing to the Kentucky Derby five weeks later.

Louisiana Derby winners Black Gold (1924) and Grindstone (1996) went on to win

the Kentucky Derby, as did Louisiana Derby runner-up Funny Cide (2003).